Pew: Minorities more likely to use mobile Web

African-Americans and Hispanic Americans are much more likely than whites to use the Internet on their cell phones and mobile devices, according to a report from the Pew Research Center.

The report, published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, surveyed more than 2,200 individuals in May and found that blacks and English-speaking Latinos own and use cell phones to access the Internet at a much higher rate than whites. Research specialist Aaron Smith, who wrote the report, said the findings confirm a trend Pew has been tracking since it began measuring mobile data usage on cell phones.

"African-Americans and Latinos are much more active than whites on a range of non-voice activities," Smith said. "African-Americans and Latinos are more likely to use their phones to access the Web, play games, watch videos, and use social networking sites."

Eighty-seven percent of minority respondents own a cell phone as opposed to 80 percent of whites. In total, 64 percent of African-Americans use some form of mobile Internet via their cell phone or laptop, while only 59 percent of all adults do so. Smith said the findings show groups targeting minority communities should be aware their websites are likely being viewed on a mobile device.

"Organizations and businesses that are interested in reaching minority populations ... need to consider the fact that for many of these individuals, they not going to be accessing services on 14-inch screen desktop computer with a broadband connection," Smith said.

The findings also mean carriers' recent shift away from unlimited data plans may disproportionately impact minorities, who often rely on their phones as their only connection to the Web. The Obama administration recently unveiled a plan to free up 500 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband use over the next decade in recognition of the growing public appetite for mobile Internet access.

"The mobile population is growing very quickly, both cell phones and laptops," Smith said. "The administration's efforts to increase spectrum are in line with our findings that this is an area that’s growing in relevance and importance to a lot of different groups. Groups that weren't necessarily at the forefront of home broadband adoption."